The Arkansas Animal Rescue Foundation (AARF) is looking to tackle Pope County's pet population problem by offering to help those in need spay and neuter their pets.

"What you do is fill out the spay/neuter application and send it in, and once you're approved we send you a voucher and on that voucher it lists all the veterinarians that accept the voucher," Carla Alverson of the AARF said.

The application can be picked up at most local vet clinics and the Russellville Animal Shelter. By next week, the foundation plans to offer its application online at its website, arkansasanimalrescue.org.

Alverson said one female cat can lead to up to 420,000 cats within seven years.

“That sounds crazy but it’s a geometric progression,” AARF media specialist Ken Teutsch said. “They have up to three litters a year of four to six kittens, and then each of those females as early as three or four months can start having them ... One spay cuts off all that overpopulation.”

AARF Founder Kathy Reese said many who open shelters fail because they take in too many animals who reproduce and overfill facilities. She founded AARF in 2007.

“Any shelter that has opened has been filled and overfilled within a very short period of time,” she said.

The coupons, Reese said, are meant to go to pet owners who can’t afford spaying and neutering costs on their own.

“We’d like people who can afford to spay and neuter on their own to do it,” she said.

“This is for people who need help,” Teutsch said. “I’m sure the economic aspect is one reason why people may not do it, so we want to impress upon people how important it is that they do it ... and we also want to help financially the people who decide they want to do the right thing.”

Last year, AARF spent more than $38,000 to help spay and neuter animals, not including the money spent on sheltering, feeding and providing medical assistance to the near-120 animals it shelters.

In 2010, Alverson said, the foundation spent more than $60,000 on food and veterinary expenses for its animals.

“In addition to just feeding them and all the veterinary bills, there’s heating and cooling and the maintenance and upkeep,” Teutsch said. “So it’s a big operation, and that’s why so many people who want to help out and want to start an animal shelter, they end up crashing and burning because it’s a huge undertaking.”

Most of the money comes out of pocket, Teutsch said, which is why the foundation is asking for donations from locals. The foundation is also planning to apply for grants, Reese said.

Reese said donations to AARF are tax-deductible. Those who want to make donations may contact the foundation at 331-4105. Those who want to adopt from the foundation may view its selection online at its website.